SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6273
As of January 23, 2024
Title: An act relating to conducting an audit of the juvenile rehabilitation system.
Brief Description: Conducting an audit of the juvenile rehabilitation system.
Sponsors: Senators Boehnke, Dozier, Gildon and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services: 1/25/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct an audit of the juvenile rehabilitation system.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Staff: Kelsey-anne Fung (786-7479)
Background:

Juvenile Rehabilitation Institutions.  On July 1, 2019, the Juvenile Rehabilitation division (JR) transferred from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). JR operates two secure residential facilities for juveniles who are convicted of crimes and serving more than 30 days of confinement. The Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie serves younger males and female juveniles. The Green Hill School in Chehalis serves older male juveniles.

 

JR also operates eight community residential facilities which allow youth to begin transitioning back to the community. These facilities provide treatment, education, and vocational services. To be eligible for placement at a community residential facility a youth must be placed on minimum security status.

 

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is a statutorily created body consisting of eight members from the Senate and eight members from the House of Representatives, with not more than four members from each house from the same political party. The nonpartisan staff of JLARC conduct performance audits, program evaluations, tax performance reviews, sunset reviews, and other analyses assigned by the Legislature and JLARC itself.
Summary of Bill:

JLARC must review:

  • JR's existing processes and staffing methods for determining adequate staffing ratios to meet the confinement and rehabilitative needs of the juveniles and ensure public safety;
  • existing security and safety measures and their effectiveness in meeting the unique needs of the juvenile population in the custody of DCYF;
  • best practices from other states regarding security measures and staffing ratios, and identify options that may be feasible to adopt in Washington State to increase the security of DCYF's institutions and facilities and public safety; and
  • review existing processes for responding to critical incidents, including communication and cooperation with local law enforcement, and identify areas for improvement.

 

JLARC must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by June 30, 2026.

 

The bill expires December 31, 2026.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2024.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.